What is a heat pump reversing valve? Let’s take a moment to go over it.

A heat pump reversing valve is a part in a heat pump that changes the direction of the flow of the refrigerant. When the flow of the refrigerant is changed in a heat pump the cycle of the refrigeration is changed from heating to cooling and back the other way again. This is how the home or office building it is being used in can be heated and cooled by using only one unit. It does two jobs at the same time.

What is a heat pump? A heat pump is an electrically driven piece of equipment that moves heat from one location to another, much like it sounds. Basically the heat pump takes air from one location (heat source) and moves it to another location (heat sink). For example, heat pump technology is used in air conditioning, freezers and refrigerators to take heat from one temperature to another.

How it works is this. The reversing valve is either in a relaxed state or an energized state. Using 24 volts of alternating current the energized state is accomplished, otherwise known as HVAC. Heat pumps are intended to produce cooling and heating in the relaxed state. When the valve is energized it will produce the opposite conditioning type. So if the reversing valve is installed to cool when relaxed it will heat when energized. This reversing valve can be operated by a control board or by a thermostat depending on how it is installed.

Clearly, if this part is not working properly, the heat pump will not work properly and will be not be efficient in doing its energy saving job. Therefore, you will want to take care of the issue as soon as possible to prevent it causing any further issues with your unit. When the reversing valve is malfunctioning an HVAC technician will need to repair or replace it. Be very careful on this point. If you have someone other than a technician repair the part, you may be voiding a warranty with you heat pump manufacturer. You will want to review your warranty carefully before deciding who to contact about the problem.